The Zero Conditional
1. Form
The zero conditional is formed with:
| Main clause | If clause |
| present tense
Ice melts You get sick |
present tense
if you heat it. if you eat too much. |
| If clause | Main clause |
| present tense
If you heat ice, If eat too much, |
present tense
it melts. you get sick. |
2. Meaning
We use the zero conditional to talk about general truth and facts.
I always take a taxi if it rains.
If you freeze water, it becomes ice.
3. Other forms
The zero conditional can also be formed with ‘when’ instead of ‘if’.
When it rains, the weather turns cold.
I always order a takeaway when I work late.
Ready to test your knowledge?
Put the grammar rules above into practice with the challenge below.
